Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 March 2023
104. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of the number of homes that will be put forward for the affordable housing scheme under Fingal County Council; the timeline for such developments; the income figures that will be allocated for under this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11665/23]
View answerIn implementing Housing for All, each local authority has prepared and published a Housing Delivery Action Plan in respect of local authority supported or overseen delivery from 2022 to 2026. Individual five-year housing delivery targets were set for local authorities and for 18 local authorities with a strong and identified affordable housing need, including Fingal County Council, specific affordable housing delivery targets were set. Those authorities were asked to include their planned affordable housing delivery in their Housing Delivery Action Plans. These plans were published on the local authorities’ respective websites in July 2022. Fingal County Council's housing delivery plan can be viewed on its website at Fingal County Council Housing Delivery Action Plan.pdf.
It should be noted that Fingal County Council has recently delivered one of the first affordable purchase housing schemes in the State which is located at Dun Emer, Lusk. These homes are now completed and are now being made available to the allocated purchasers at sales prices of at least 15% below market prices.
Fingal County Council have also advised that construction of 52 affordable purchase homes at Hayestown in Rush will be on site this week, with all 52 homes to be available for purchase this year. Details of this scheme and how to apply, will be announced on the Council's website in due course.
In addition, the First Home Scheme, which was launched last year, supports first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market through the use of an equity share model, similar to that employed in the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme. The Scheme aims to support in the region of 8,000 households in acquiring new homes in the private market in the years 2022 to 2026 with an overall budget of €400 million. The scheme is available nationwide and more information can be found at www.firsthomescheme.ie/
